Shell to Sea campaigners protest at Department of Justice

Supporters of the Shell to sea campaign protested outside the Department of Justice today, over yesterday's sentencing of campaigner Maura Harrington.

Ms Harrington, a retired primary school principal, was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment for assaulting Garda Eamon Berry, during a protest at Pollathomas pier in north Mayo on June 11th, 2007.

Ms Harrington had denied the assault.

Speaking at the protest, her husband Naoise Ó Mongáin said "She’s in strong spirits and is prepared to do the 28 days in prison, and an extra 28 days if necessary".

Mr Ó Mongáin said he was delighted at his wife’s jailing as it "highlighted the injustice visited on our community".

He said protests against his wife's jailing would continue in Dublin for the full 28 days of her sentence.

Asked if the campaign welcomed the support from Republican Sinn Fein, thought by the PSNI and Gardaí to be the political wing of the Continuity IRA, Mr Ó Mongáin said "we welcome support from everyone and every quarter, we won’t deny support from anyone".